Preview: The most important sports dates in 2020

The first highlight is already on New Year’s Day with the second competition of the 68th Four Hills Tournament in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Traditionally followed are the two Austrian World Cup events on January 4 in Innsbruck and on January 6 in Bischofshofen, where the Japanese rider Ryoyu Kobayashi triumphed last year and thus fixed the Grand Slam in ski jumping.

The next sporting highlight on Austrian soil will follow on January 9, when the 14th Men’s European Handball Championship begins in the Graz City Hall. The opening game will increase in Trondheim, where Latvia will defend Spain. The third organizer besides Austria and Norway is Sweden.

The ÖHB team meets in Group B in the Wiener Stadthalle in the Czech Republic (January 10 / 6:15 p.m.), Ukraine (January 12 / 4:00 p.m.) and North Macedonia (January 14 / 8:30 p.m.). The declared goal of young star Nikola Bilyk and Co. is at least second place in this pool to make the ascent to the main round (16 to 22 January), which also takes place in the federal capital. The medals will then take place in Stockholm from January 24th to 26th.

European Figure Skating Championships in Graz

In parallel to the handball European Championship finish, Premstätten near Graz will be the venue for the 112th European Figure Skating Championships from 22nd to 26th January. In summer, red, white and red motorsport fans will get their money’s worth when Formula 1 is on July 5 and MotoGP on August 16 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

The 51st Biathlon World Championships in Antholz from February 12th to 23rd are major winter sports highlights. For alpine ski runners, on the other hand, the focus in a season without a World Cup is entirely on the World Cup, the overall winners of which will be chosen at the finals from March 18 to 22 in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Australian Open first tennis highlight

For Austria’s tennis star Dominic Thiem, the year traditionally begins in Australia, this time with the ATP Cup premiere (January 3 to 12). In this the world ranking fourth and a. form the red-white-red team with his compatriot Dennis Novak from Lower Austria. The first highlight is the Australian Open in Melbourne (January 20 to February 2). At the second Grand Slam tournament of the year in Paris (May 24th to June 7th) Thiem is aiming for his third French Open final participation en suite, this time to be crowned with a victory.

After Wimbledon (June 29 to July 12), the Masters finalists will have the title defense in Kitzbühel (July 25 to August 1) and the overseas tour with the US Open in New York (August 31 to September 13) ) on the program. Thiem also wants to confirm his 2019 triumph at the Erste Bank Open in the Wiener Stadthalle (October 26 to November 1) and finally play again at the season finale in London (November 15 to 22).

In soccer, two championship clubs in the European Cup overwinter with series champion Red Bull Salzburg and LASK. In the Europa League sixteenth final, the “Bulls” will face Eintracht Frankfurt on February 20 and 27, Linz will meet AZ Alkmaar. Both ÖFB representatives have home rights in the second leg. Wiener Austria’s stadium will host the Women’s Champions League final on May 24th. The men’s Europa League final will take place on May 27 in Gdansk (Danzig), three days later (May 30) the Istanbul Champions League winner will be determined.

ÖFB team in EM use

After test games in Wales (March 27), against Turkey (March 30) and England (June 2 / both in Vienna) and in Prague against the Czech Republic (June 7), Austria’s national soccer team will be at the 2020 European Championship for the first time June 14 (6:00 p.m. CET) in Bucharest seriously: The opening game of Group C is for David Alaba and Co. against a play-off winner to be determined at the end of March (Georgia, Belarus, North Macedonia, Kosovo or Romania).

Four days later (June 18 / 9:00 p.m.), the game in Amsterdam for the title contender Netherlands is on the program. The last opponent in the fight for the round of 16, which will reach the top two and the four best group thirds, is Ukraine on June 22 (6:00 p.m.) in Bucharest.

339 medal decisions in Tokyo

The Olympic Summer Games will open in Tokyo twelve days after the European Championship final on July 12 in London. Japan’s capital is hosting the world’s largest sporting event for the second time since 1964. The spectacle will cost more than $ 20 billion. For the 339 medal decisions in 33 sports, the organizers expect at least 7.8 million tickets to be sold. Austria hopes for more success than last in Rio de Janeiro 2016, where there was only one bronze medal to celebrate.

The most important dates in the first quarter

January

• 1./4./6. Ski jumping: Four hills tour in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen
• 1. Darts: World Cup final in London
• 3.-fifth Motorsport: January rally (ÖM) in Freistadt
• 3.-fifth Cross-country skiing: World Cup with Tour de Ski finale in Val di Fiemme
• 3.-fifth Bob / Skeleton: World Cup in Winterberg
• 3.-12th Tennis: ATP Cup in Australia
• 4-5. Alpine skiing: World Cup women and men in Zagreb
• 5.-17th Motorsport: Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia
• 8. Alpine skiing: World Cup men in Madonna di Campiglio
• 9.-12th Biathlon: World Cup in Oberhof
• 9-22nd Youth Olympic Winter Games in Switzerland
• 9.-26th European Handball Championship in Austria (Graz and Vienna), Sweden and Norway with Austria – Czech Republic (10th), Austria – Ukraine (12th) and Austria – North Macedonia (14th / all in Vienna)
• 10th 12th Nordic combination: World Cup in Val di Fiemme
• 10th 12th Speed ​​Skating: All-around European Championship in Heerenveen
• 10th 12th Bob / Skeleton: World Cup in La Plagne
• 11. Snowboard: World Cup (parallel) in Scuol
• 11-12. Alpine skiing: Women’s World Cup (downhill and combination) in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee
• 11-12. Alpine skiing: Men’s World Cup in Adelboden
• 11-12. Ski jumping: World Cup women in Sapporo
• 11-12. Ski jumping: World Cup men in Predazzo
• 11-12. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Dresden
• 11-12. Tobogganing: World Cup in Altenberg
• 14th Alpine skiing: World Cup women (slalom) in Flachau
• 14-15. Snowboard: World Cup (parallel) in Bad Gastein
• 15th-19th Biathlon: World Cup in Ruhpolding
• 17th-19th Alpine skiing: World Cup men in Wengen
• 17th-19th Bob / Skeleton: World Cup in Innsbruck-Igls
• 17th-19th Ski jumping: World Cup women in Yamagata
• 17th-19th Hockey: Men’s European Indoor Championships in Berlin
• 18. Snowboard: World Cup (Parallel) in Rogla
• 18th Ski Freestyle: Cross World Cup in Nakiska (CAN)
• 18/19. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in Sestriere
• 18/19. Ski jumping: World Cup men in Titisee-Neustadt
• 18/19. Tobogganing: European Championship and World Cup in Lillehammer
• 18/19. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Nove Mesto
• 19th-25th Sailing: World Cup kick-off off Miami
• 20.1.-2.2. Tennis: Australian Open in Melbourne
• 21-26th Cycling: Tour Down Under (WorldTour start) in Australia
• 22-26th Figure skating: EM in Premstätten near Graz
• 23.-26. Motorsport: Rallye Monte Carlo (World Cup opening)
• 23.-26. Winter X Games in Aspen
• 24-25. Snowboard: World Cup (Cross) in Big White / Kelowna
• 24th-26th Alpine skiing: Men’s World Cup (Super-G, downhill and slalom) in Kitzbühel
• 24th-26th Bob / Skeleton: World Cup in Königssee
• 24th-26th Short Track: EM in Debrecen
• 25-26. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in Bansko
• 25-26. Ski jumping: World Cup women in Rasnov
• 25-26. Ski jumping: Men’s World Cup in Zakopane
• 25-26. Nordic combination: World Cup in Oberstdorf
• 25-26. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Oberstdorf
• 25-26. Tobogganing: World Cup in Sigulda
• 23.-26. Biathlon: World Cup in Pokljuka
• 28th Alpine skiing: Men’s World Cup (Slalom) in Schladming
• 31.1.-2.2. Nordic combination: World Cup in Seefeld
• 31.1.-2.2. Bob / Skeleton: World Cup in St. Moritz

February

• 1./2. Tobogganing: World Cup in Oberhof
• 1./2. Snowboard: World Cup (Cross) in Feldberg (GER)
• 1./2. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in pink khutor
• 1./2. Alpine skiing: Men’s World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
• 1./2. Ski jumping: World Cup women in Oberstdorf
• 1./2. Ski jumping: World Cup men in Sapporo
• American Football: Super Bowl LIV in Miami
• 6. Football: end of winter transfer time in Austria
• 8th. Athletics: Gugl meeting indoor in Linz
• 8/9. Nordic combination: World Cup in Otepää
• 8/9. Ski Freestyle: Cross World Cup in Feldberg (GER)
• 8/9. Ski jumping: World Cup women in Hinzenbach
• 8/9. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
• 8/9. Alpine skiing: Men’s World Cup in Chamonix
• 8/9. Ski jumping: World Cup men in Willingen
• 8/9. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Falun
• 8/9. Football: ÖFB Cup quarter-finals
• 8-16th Sailing: WM (49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17) in front of Geelong
• 10th-16th Wrestling: EM in Rome
• 11th-16th Badminton: European Championship in Lievin
• 12th-15th Motorsport: Sweden Rally (WM)
• 13th-16th Speed ​​Skating: Single Distance World Cup in Salt Lake City
• 13th-23rd Biathlon: World Cup in Antholz
• 14th-16th Bob / Skeleton: European Championship and World Cup final in Sigulda
• 15-16. Football: spring opening Bundesliga, round 19
• 15-16. Tobogganing: World Cup in Sochi
• 15-16. Ski jumping: World Cup ski flying in Bad Mitterndorf
• 15-16. Alpine skiing: World Cup men in Yanqing
• 15-16. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in Maribor
• 15-16. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Östersund
• 17. Athletes’ choice: Laureus Sports Awards in Berlin
• 18. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Aare
• 18.2.-18.3. Football: Champions League round of 16
• 19th-21st Formula 1: test drives in Montmelo near Barcelona
• 20. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Storlien-Meraker
• 20th Football: Europa League sixteenth final first leg (with Frankfurt – Salzburg and Alkmaar – LASK)
• 21-22. Ski jumping: World Cup men in Rasnov
• 22-23. Nordic combination: World Cup in Trondheim
• 21.2.-1.3. Bob / Skeleton: World Cup in Altenberg
• 22-23. Ski jumping: World Cup women in Ljubno
• 22-23. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in Crans Montana
• 22-23. Alpine skiing: World Cup men in Yuzawa Naeba
• 22-23. Tobogganing: World Cup in Winterberg
• 22-23. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Trondheim
• 23rd Ski Freestyle: Cross World Cup in Miass
• 23-29th Windsurfing: World Cup off Auckland
• 26th-28th Formula 1: test drives in Montmelo near Barcelona
• 26.2.-1.3. Cycling: World Cup in Berlin
• 27th Football: Europa League sixteenth final second leg (with Salzburg – Frankfurt and LASK – Alkmaar)
• 28. Football: European League round of 16 draw
• 28.2.-1.3. Speed ​​skating: WM all around and sprint in Hamar
• 28.2.-1.3. Alpine skiing: Men’s World Cup (combination, Super-G and giant slalom) in Hinterstoder
• 29.2./1.3. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in La Thuile
• 29.2./1.3. Ski jumping: World Cup men in Lahti
• 29.2./1.3. Nordic combination: World Cup in Lahti
• 29.2./1.3. Cross-country World Cup in Lahti
• 29.2./1.3. Tobogganing: World Cup final in Königssee

March

• 3. Football: UEFA Congress with drawing of the Nations League 2020/21 in Amsterdam
• 3-4. Football: ÖFB Cup semi-finals
• 4. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Drammen
• 5.-eighth Biathlon: World Cup in Nove Mesto
• 6/7. Tennis: Davis Cup qualification Austria – Uruguay in Premstätten
• 7. Nordic combination: World Cup in Oslo
• 7-8. Football: 22nd and final round of the Bundesliga first round
• 7-8. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Oslo
• 7-8. Alpine skiing: Men’s World Cup in Kvitfjell
• 7-8. Alpine skiing: World Cup women in Ofterschwang
• 7-8. Ski jumping: World Cup (Raw Air) women and men in Oslo
• 7-8. Speed ​​skating: World Cup final in Heerenveen
• 8. Motorbike: GP of Qatar (World Cup opening) in Losail
• 8-15th Cycling: Paris – Nice
• 9-10. Ski jumping: World Cup (Raw Air) women and men in Lillehammer
• 11th-17th Cycling: Tirreno – Adriatico
• 12. Ski jumping: World Cup (Raw Air) women and men in Trondheim
• 12. Olympia: lighting of fire for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Olympia
• 12th-14th Alpine skiing: World Cup women in Aare
• 12th-15th Motorsport: Mexico Rally (World Cup)
• 12th-15th Biathlon: World Cup in Kontiolahti
• 12./19. Football: Europa League round of 16
• 13th-15th Athletics: World Indoor Championships in Nanjing
• 13th-15th Short Track: World Cup in Seoul
• 13th-21st Sailing: World Cup (470s) off Palma de Mallorca
• 14th Ski Freestyle: Cross World Cup final in Veysonnaz
• 14-15. Nordic combined: World Cup final in Schonach
• 14-15. Cross-country skiing: World Cup in Quebec
• 14-15. Football: Kick-off Bundesliga championship and qualification group
• 14-15. Alpine skiing: World Cup men in Kranjska Gora
• 14-15. Ski jumping: World Cup ski flying (raw air) in Vikersund
• 14-15. Ski jumping: World Cup women in Nizhny Tagil
• 14-15. Snowboard: World Cup final (parallel) in Winterberg
• 15th Formula 1: Australian GP (World Cup opener) in Melbourne
• 16th-22nd Figure skating: World Cup in Montreal
• 17. Cross-country skiing: World Cup with sprint tour final in Minneapolis
• 18th-22nd Alpine skiing: Women’s and men’s World Cup finals in Cortina d’Ampezzo
• 19th-22nd Ski flying: World Cup in Planica
• 20. Football: Champions League and Europa League quarter-final and semi-final draws
• 20-21. Cross-country skiing: World Cup final in Canmore
• 20th-22nd Biathlon: World Cup final in Oslo
• 20th-27th Climbing: EM in Moscow
• 21. Cycling: Milan – San Remo
• 21-22. Ski jumping: Women’s World Cup final in Tchaikovsky
• 22. Motorbike: GP of Thailand in Buriram
• 22. Formula 1: GP of Bahrain, Sachir
• 22-29th Table tennis: Team World Cup in Busan
• 25th-29th Golf: WGC Match Play Championship in Austin
• 27th Football: Test match Wales – Austria (location still open)
• 27th-28th Motorsport: Rebenland Rallye (ÖM) in Leutschach
• Rowing: 166th Boat Race Oxford – Cambridge in London
• 29th Athletics: Half Marathon World Cup in Gdynia (POL)
• 30th Football: Test match Austria – Turkey in Vienna

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